In 1883 two brothers, Alfred and Frederick Johnson, purchased a defunct pottery known as Charles Street Works in Hanley, England. By the end of the 1890's Johnson Brothers may have been the largest earthenware manufacturer in the world. Noted for their early introduction of 'Semi-Porcelain', about 1889, which had the characteristics of fine china but the durability of ironstone.

This lovely set of 4 dinner plates is the "Paris" pattern, circa 1900-1920. The pattern is a medium-to-dark blue/gray transfer-ware design of Poppy flowers, buds and leaves interspersed with spikes of other delicate blossoms and foliage. The blank has a graceful contoured scalloped form. The plates measure 10" across and have the very faint remnants of a gold edge. The back-stamp, circa 1900, is a Crown and "Paris - Royal Semi-Porcelain - Johnson Bros - England", circa 1900. There are no cracks, chips or repairs. One plate has a tiny glaze flake on the edge (see photo). There are minor utensil marks from usage. I have more items of this pattern in my store.